For many decades, its historic center has been a standard destination for travelers looking to feed their intellect. Today, Athens is a foodie’s paradise with a vast selection of fancy restaurants, local eateries, and street food from all over the world. Whether you’re into unique gourmet dishes, cherished homemade recipes or diverse ethnic flavors, the Greek capital has it all. To give you a headstart, here’s a quick look at 20 first-class choices.

Nolan

A minimal, chef-centric diner that offers a creative blend of Greek and Asian flavors (Voulis 31-33, Syntagma).

Spondi

Simply the first restaurant in Greece to receive two Michelin stars (Pyrronos 5, Pagrati).

Basegrill Athens

A premium steak house where each meat cut is prepared and served the way it’s supposed to (Konstantinoupoleos 64, Peristeri).

Hytra

Fine dining based on seasonal products treated with exceptional care and creativity (Syngrou 107-109, Onassis Cultural Center).

Etnico

Yummy street food that takes you across Mexico, India, Korea, and the Middle East (Kolokotroni 22, Athens).

Colibri

A neighborhood joint where burgers rock and pizza is wonderfully combined with yogurt (Embedokleous 9-15, Pagrati).

Feedel

Exquisite modern mediterranean cuisine and amazing cocktails (Ktena 1, Syntagma).

Feyrouz

Authentic lahmajun and other delicious recipes from Constantinople and the Middle East (Karori 23 and Aiolou, Athens).

Varoulko seaside

Inspired seafood enjoyed in the middle of most picturesque Piraeus bay. (Akti Koumoundourou 52, Mikrolimano).

Vezené

A stylish farm-to-table bistro that serves meat and seafood skillfully cooked in a wood-fired oven (Vrasida 11, Hilton).

Odori Vermuteria

The first cocktail joint in Athens dedicated to Vermuth is also an amazing Italian trattoria (Skouleniou 2, Athens).

CTC

Creative cuisine and unique degustation menus signed by a young but highly acclaimed chef. (Diocharous 27, Ilisia).

Sushimou

A compact, 12-seat sushi bar that serves authentic Japanese seafood recipes (Skoufou 6, Syntagma).

Bar-Bee-Kiou

Inventive burger list and hefty portions at, probably, the most sui generis burger joint in Greece (Freatidos 13, Piraeus).

Malconi’s

An Italian restaurant in the heart of Kolonaki, the perfect place for brunch, lunch or dinner. (Patriarchou Ioakim 43, Kolonaki).

Sense

Haute cuisine based on Greek gastronomy with an uninterrupted view of the Acropolis (Dionysiou Areopagitou 5, AthensWas Hotel).

Nikkei

A fusion restaurant that thrives in preparing Peruvian dishes with Japanese techniques (Xanthippou 10 and Deinokratous 1, Kolonaki).

CHE

All-day bar-restaurant with a tempting variety of Latin American food and cocktails (Karaiskou 151, Piraeus).

Cookoovaya

Mediterranean dishes that change with the seasons to incorporate the very best in fresh Greek produce (Chatzigianni Mexi 2A, Hilton).

Dry & Raw by Drakoulis

Meat lovers are in for an unforgettable treat in these awesome butcher-owned steak houses (Vasileos Pavlou 103, Voula - Skoufa 52, Kolonaki).

Bon Appétit!